Every Dog Has His Day - Thanks Gracie

After Gracie went to chase squirrels in the great beyond, our sweet friend, Ann Flower, told me that when the time was right Gracie would lead us to another dog.

Recently, the boys and Kelly went to the Humane Society and found a dog. She had kennel cough, so was quarantined until her medications had run their course. Almost daily, the boys asked about the dog. And on the day after she popped her last pill, Kelly and I went to bring her home.

"Prancer," proved to be a whole lotta dog. Apparently having cheated on her "Good With Cats" test, she sent Athena and Apollo fleeing. At seeing the chickens, she immediately concocted various ways of busting in the coop. But it was on her second day with us, when she took off out of the door, saw an innocent Thalia and snapped the poor bird's neck, that we said enough is enough. (And yes, that Thalia, my favorite.) "Prancer" had to go.

Good bye, Thalia

While returning Prancer to the Human Society - and providing them with some heretofore unknown information about her behavior and personality - we decided to take a look at some of the other dogs waiting to be adopted.

That's when I saw him: a young border collie mix, with soulful eyes and a mellow temperament. We took him for a walk - no aggression toward other dogs - well mannered, docile (maybe a bit too docile), sweet. We sat in on his "Good With Cats" test. He was totally uninterested in the poor test subject, and when she hissed at him, he fled.  He felt right.

So we've brought him home, named him "Skeelo" (which means "Dog" in Greek) in homage to the border collie we had in California, and he's been nothing but a good boy.

Athena and Apollo, the cats, scare him. The coop certainly interests him but more in a, "I bed I could get those chickens to go anywhere the humans want them" way. Like all border collies, he's needy and has to show us how much he loves us already.

 

His last humans had brought him to the Human Society just the day before we adopted him. They said they didn't have the time to dedicate to him (border collies need lots and lots of exercise and stimulation.) From the way he cowers at brooms, anything raised about a head, and harsh voices, we think those humans may not have been so kind to him.

How could anyone not be kind to this furry guy?

I admit that I'm always going to miss Gracie. She was a great dog. But I'm grateful that she led me to another canine friend.

Even if I really only want to be his friend!

You're Going to Stick it WHERE?

At my last physical, my young doctor took note of my birthday and told me it was time for a colonoscopy. Oh joy. Oh rapture.

Being the kind of guy that usually does whatever his doctor suggests, as my big 5-0 approached, I scheduled what I consider to be the ultimate in invasive procedures.

On Wednesday, I dutifully reported to the gastroenterologist. Here's what I learned:

1. No matter how frequently it occurs, having someone mistake my sister for my wife never ceases to be creepy.
2. Even a nurse with over 20 years of experience can butcher an arm trying to stab an IV into it.
3. The "prep" really is the very worst part of the procedure.
4. Having a doctor describe your innards as being "sparklingly clean" is a moment of icky pride.
5. Going 38 hours without eating anything makes me dream about delicious-looking sandwiches.

Oh, and there's nothing to be concerned about. But I'm still not posting the photos!

It's a Good Thing He's Cute

There's something charming about the honesty of children. That is until that honesty is directed at me.

Lately, Niko has been interested in sharing his thoughts about my body hair as I age. His insight isn't really welcome, but it does crack him up.

For example: the other day we were soaking in the hot tub when he told me there was a hair on my shoulder.

N: I'll get it.
C: Don't pull on it.
N: It's not attached, I think it's one of mine. I'll get it.
C: NO, DON'T PULL ON IT!
(Ignoring me, and pulling on said hair)
N: OHMYGOSH! It IS attached!

The idea of a stray hair growing out of his dad's shoulder was about the funniest thing he could imagine.

And this morning, he bounded onto my bed to wake me up. He ran his hand over my morning stubble on my cheek and asked why men have prickly hair on their faces. I replied that men just get hair, and added that some guys get it on their chests, and some even have it on their backs. That idea made him roar with laughter.

Then, caressing my earlobe between his finger and thumb, he added, "And some men get hair that grows out of their ears, and curls way down over their earlobes."

And with that he tugged it out of my ear cackling with delight.

It's a good thing he's cute...

Half Way to a Century!

As hard as it is to believe, last week I woke up and I was 50. In Greek we wish people na ta ektosteisis - may you live to be 100. Well, I'm half way there. And what better way to celebrate than with a house filled with loving family and friends? Here's just a small sampling of the fun we had, and the family and friends, who helped me celebrate.

 This is what 40+ years of friendship looks like.

 The girls with the Bieb.

 Ashley and Sky.

 Maria and Bob.

 Aimz and the Bieb.

 Two of my most favorite women in the world...and the Bieb.

 Sam has something for the Bieb!

 Watch out, Louis, Debra's smitten!

 Doreen raises a glass.

 Nina, Brian, Kali and Gary

 Jack and Doreen

 Cindy and John.

Chris and Kary, who has known me since 12!

 The "Ls" Laurel and Lori.

 The Nakamuras (Kerri's been a friend since 15!)

 Kali and Brian.

Sophia and Sundee.

Oh and I have no idea why the Bieb showed up, but taking a photo with him became more amusing as the night wore on and the wine flowed!

How a guy like me got so damn lucky to have such wonderful friends and family, I'll never understand. But I am grateful from the bottom of my hairy Greek toes to the top of my spikey hair.

 49 years earlier.